Sharapova Faces Punishment After Failed Aussie Open Drug Test
In a press conference Monday afternoon, world number seven Maria Sharapova told reporters that she was notified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in a letter a couple of days ago that she had failed a drug test during the Australian Open.
Sharapova said the failed test came as a result of her taking Meldonium, a drug that she has taken for the last 10 year. The drug was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list just this year, and Sharapova admits she failed to check the updated banned substances list sent to her in an e-mail back in December.
“I made a huge mistake,” said Sharapova. “And I’ve let my fans down and let the sport down that I’ve been playing since the age of four that I’ve loved so deeply.”
The five-time Grand Slam champion says the drug was prescribed to her by her doctor because of prior illnesses and family history.
“I had been taking this medicine for the past 10 years, but on Jan. 1, this became a prohibited substance which I did not know,” she went on to say. “I received an e-mail on Dec. 22 from WADA about the changes happening to the banned list and you can see prohibited items, and I didn’t click on that link.”
It is unclear of the punishment coming Sharapova’s way.
“I know I face consequences, and I didn’t want to end my career this way,” said Sharapova. “I hope I will be given the chance to play this game again.”
